Washing apparatus

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a washing apparatus by which a washing medium is applied to a surface to be washed and removed from said surface by suction. The invention is concerned with a special construction of the means for coupling a multi-channel hose to a source of washing medium under pressure and a source of vacuum at one end and to a nozzle head both for spreading the washing medium onto the surface and for removing used medium from the surface at the other end. The apparatus is especially but not exclusively designed for washing the skin surface of bed ridden patients in a sick bed. The washing apparatus according to the invention comprises hose connecting members mounted on each end of a multi-channel hose with screw or bayonet coupling means and corresponding bayonet coupling sockets both on the nozzle head and on the source. The invention also comprises different types of nozzle heads and other details of construction of the connecting and coupling means between the source, the multichannel hose and the nozzle heads and of valve means for shutting off the flow of pressure medium through the hose.

' United States Patent [191 Kraft [111' 3,818,538 [451 June 25, 1974 [73] Assignee: Industriaktiebolaget Broderna Larsson, Gotene, Switzerland [22] Filed: Oct. 30, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 301,802

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 4, 1971 Sweden l4096/7l [52] US. Cl. 15/322, 285/137 R [51 Int. Cl A471 7/00 [58] Field of Search 4/158, 184;.128/240, 247; 285/137 R; 15/321, 322

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,757,406 8/1956 Decker 15/321 3,345,672 10/1967 La Mers et a1.

Primary Examiner-Harvey Hornsby Assistant Examiner-C. K. Moore Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Young and Thompson [5 7] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a washing apparatus by which a washing medium is applied to a surface to be washed and removed from said surface by suction. The invention is concerned with a special construction of the means for coupling a multi-channel hose to a source of washing medium under pressure and a source of vacuum at one end and to a nozzle head both for spreading the washing medium onto the surface and for removing used medium from the surface at the other end. The apparatus is especially but not exclusively designed for washing the skin surface of bed ridden patients in a sick bed. The washing apparatus according to the invention comprises hose connecting members mounted on each end of a multi-channel hose with screw or bayonet coupling means and corresponding bayonet coupling sockets both on the nozzle head and on the source. The invention also comprises different types of nozzle heads and other details of construction of the connecting and coupling means between the source, the multi-channel hose and the nozzle heads and of valve means for shutting off the flow of pressure medium through the hose.

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PATENIEDamzsmu SHEET 2 [1F 2 FIGS WASHING APPARATUS This invention relates to a washing apparatus by which a washing medium is applied to a surface to be washed and removed from said surface, especially for wahing the skin of persons, particularly bedridden persons.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is simple of construction and in which a hose for the admission of washing medium and for evacuation of used washing medium has two or more channels with identical end connections for optional connection at one end with a source of washing medium under pressure and a source of vacuum for the evacuation of the used washing medium, and at the other end with a nozzle head for applying the washing medium to the surface to be washed and removing the same from said surface.

In a device of this kind different nozzle heads can be used, e.g. for washing of the surface with more or less medium, in connection with the same source and the same hose.

Another object of the invention is to make it possible to connect any of the end connections of the hose either to the source or to the nozzle head, and to permit a rapid exchange of nozzle heads of different kinds. According to an embodiment of the invention the end connections of the hose further comprise means for the interruption of the flow of washing liquid-and/or pressurized air either optionally during the washing operation or automatically when disconnecting the hose connection from the nozzle head.

The invention does not comprise the known principle of washing surfaces by means of a nozzle head which leads washing liquid to the surface and removes the used washing liquid, but only the construction and combination of coupling elements which make the apparatus especially well adapted for the washing of patients in a sick bed, each element being easy to handle and to combine with others according to requirements.

The washing apparatus according to the invention comprising the above stated elements is especially characterized in that it comprises hose connecting members to be mounted on each end of a multichannel hose and consisting of a tubular handle having screw or bayonet coupling means at its forward end and immediately inwards thereof a coupling member rotatably but axially unmovably mounted within said handle, connection sleeves on said coupling member projecting inwardly into the ends of the difierent channels of the multi-channel hose and outwardly projecting connection sleeves on said coupling member communicating with said inwardly projecting connection sleeves, bayonet coupling sockets both on the nozzle means and the source for connection with the corresponding screw or bayonet connecting means of the handle, said'sockets having openings adapted for receiving the outwardly projecting connection sleeves, said openings communicating respectively with the pressure and suction channels of the source or nozzle head connected thereto.

The rotation of the coupling portion and the hose connected therewith relative to the handle resulting from the connection or disconnection of the hose and the nozzle head by means of the bayonet coupling means can advantageously be used for actuating a valve member for shutting ofi the pressure channels in the hose by squeezing, thereby stopping the flow of washing liquid upon the removal of the nozzle head or upon the exchange of nozzle heads. The same valve member can with simple means also be made operable from the outside so that the admission of washing liquid, when required, can be momentarily shut off during the washing operation, e.g., when passing from one limb to another.

For this purpose there is in the handle, inside the coupling member, a guiding element which surrounds the forward end of the hose engaging the inwardly projecting sleeves of the coupling member, and which is rotatably guided in the handle, said guiding element having a rotatable valve member which in an outwardly swung position enters a side opening in the handle and in an upwardly swung position squeezes the hose channel or hose channels leading the washing medium under pressure to the nozzle head.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view in axial section of a hose coupling according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2'is an end view seen from line IIII in FIG. 1 of the coupling member forming part of the housing coupling.

FIG. 3 is an end view seen from line III-III in FIG. 1 of the guiding element forming part of the hose coupling.

FIG. 4 is a section along line IVIV in FIG. 1 through the handle forming part of the hose coupling.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the multi-channe hose.

FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section through the assembled parts of the hose coupling.

FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section along line VII- VII in FIG. 8 of a nozzle head for fine washing.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the nozzle head according to FIG. 7 seen from the hose connection end.

FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal section of a nozzle head for flushing.

For the sake of better cleamess, the first figure of the reference numerals refers to the different main parts of the apparatus and the second figure to the details of said parts. I

The hose coupling illustrated in FIG. 1 for the connection of the hose 10 includes a coupling member 20, a guiding element 30 and a handle 40.

The hose 10 has a relatively wide suction channel 11 and two narrower channels 13 for pressurized medium.

The coupling member consists mainly of a circular disc 21 with a peripheral groove 22 along its edge and supporting inwardly and outwardly projecting connecting sleeves communicating with each other by pairs and having their axes parallel with the axis of the disc, of which two smaller inwardly projecting connecting parts 23 are provided'for insertion into the smaller pressure channels 13 of the hose l0 and one wider inwardly projecting connecting sleeve 24 is provided 'for insertion into the wider suction channel 11 of the hose 10, the communicating outwardly directed connecting sleeves 25 and 26, respectively, being arranged to cooperate with corresponding openings in a connected coupling member in a manner to be described later on. The disc 21 has furtherv two guiding holes 27 in diametrically opposed positions relative to the center of the plate for cooperation with guiding pins on the guiding element.

The guiding element 30 consists of a mainly cylindrical part 31 of approximately the same diameter as the disc 21 of the coupling member 20 and provided with an axial guide opening 32 of the same shape as the cross sectional contour of the multi-channel hose. On its outer end turned towards the coupling member 20 the guiding element 30 has two guiding pins 33 to be inserted into the guiding holes 27 of the coupling member 20. The guiding element 30 has on its one side a peripheral recess 34 extending along approximately onefourth of the outer periphery of the guiding element. On its opposite side the guiding element has on its inner end turned away from the coupling member an incision 35. An abutment 36 forming the valve member is attached to the wall portion of the guidingjelement limited by the incision 35 by means of a thin web 37 which is flexible and forms a sort of hinge and simultaneously a spring between the guiding element and said abutment 36. v

The handle 40 consists of a tubular member-41 and a sleeve-like portion forming an axial extension of the tubular member. At its uppermost end, as shown in FIG. 1, the handle has a screw or bayonet fitting 42 having inner projections 43 arranged along screw lines and arranged for cooperation with a screw or bayonet socket on the nozzle head to be described further on. From the bayonet fitting inwards, the handle has a little stepped-in portion 44 and immediately inwards thereof peripheral strips 45, a cylindrical wall 46 and near the handle portion inwardly projecting abutments 47 and 48. The cylindrical wall 46 has on one side a U-shaped slot 46a forming a tongue 49 hinged at its upper end by the elasticity ofthe material of which the member 40 is formed. I

The parts described above with reference to FIGS. 1-5 are shown in their assembled state in FIG. 6 in which the hose 10 is shown inserted into the guiding element closely surrounding the same, the lower edge of said guiding element resting on the abutment 48 while the abutment 47 projects into the recess 34 of the guiding member. The guiding member 30 thus is capable of limited rotation within the handle about an angle corresponding to the difference between the peripheral extent of the projecting abutment 47 and of the recess 34. The end of the hose l projecting beyond the guiding element 30 has its smaller channels 13 pressed onto the inwardly projecting, smaller. connecting sleeves '23 and its larger suction channel 11 pressed onto the inwardly directed, larger connecting sleeve 24 of the coupling member 20. The coupling member is inserted into the handle in such a manner that the peripheral groove 22 of the disc 21 snapes over the peripheral strips 45 on the cylindrical wall 46 and is thereby rotatably kept in a determined axial position as shown in FIG. 6. In this position the ends of the channels 11 and 13 of the hose are maintained in engagement with the preferably conical connection sleeves 23, 24 by. the opening 32 of the guiding element 30. In this assembled state of the parts the pins 33 on the guiding element are inserted into the guidingholes 27 of the coupling member 20. The abutment 36 forming the valve member is then bent inwards about the web 37 and maintained by the resiliency of the web against the tongue 49 of the handle which thereby is bent slightly outwards. When the tongue 49 is pressed inwards, the abutment 36 is pressed with its end against the pressure channels 13 of the hose which are thereby squeezed so asto shut off the admission of the washing medium. From this rotational position of the coupling member 20 and of the guiding element 30 relative to the handle 40 these members can be rotated to a position in which the abutment 36 rests against the inner cylindrical wall 46 of the handle beside the tongue and is thereby maintained in its pressed-in position, thus keeping the channels 13 closed. The manner in which this rotation is performed when a nozzle head is connected will be described later on.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 the nozzle head 50 comprises a screw or bayonet socket 51 of such form that it can be screwed into the screw or bayonet fitting 42, 43 in the handle 40. This bayonet fitting is-traversed by three axial channels 52, 53 arranged to correspond to the outwardly directed connection sleeves 25, 26 on the coupling member 20 and dimensioned for tight fitting onto the outside of said sleeves. Of these channels the larger one 53 communicates directly with the inside of a spoon-shaped casing 54, the open side of which lies in a plane and with the exception of a marginal slit is covered by a plane cover plate 55. On its'side facing the inside of the casing 54 this plate has a longitudinal channel 56 which has a connection sleeve 57 engaging the outside of a nozzle 58 whichby small channels 59 communicates with both openings 52 in the socket 51. In the wall between the channel 56 and the outside of the plate 55, which wall can consist of a narrow removable strip, there are small outlet holes. An insert of porous material is preferably placed within the connection sleeve 57. i

For the connection of the nozzle head 50 with the hose coupling assembled as shown in FIG. 6 the coupling member 20 and the guiding element 30 must be in a rotational position relative to the handle 40, in which the abutment 36 keeps the pressure channels 13 squeezed by the abutment of its outside against the inside of the cylindrical wall 46 of the handle. In this position the nozzle head 50 is placed with its socket openings 52, 53 over the connection sleeves 25 and 26, respectively, of the coupling member 20. By screwing the socket 51 into the bayonet fitting 42 the connection sleeves are pressed into their respective socket openings simultaneously as the coupling member 20 and the guiding element 30, the latter by the mutual engagement of the guiding holes 27 and the guiding pins 33, are turned until the abutment 36 is positioned inside the tongue 49 and thereby permits the releasing of the pressure channels 13 of the hose. These pressure channels, through which washing liquid and pressurized air are admitted, lead these media through the small channels 59 into the nozzle 58 where they are mixed to foam in the porous insert. The washingfoam then flows from the channel 56 to the outside of the plate 55. When the noule head 50 is moved over the body surface to be washed with, the plate 55 facing the skin, the latter is washed simultaneously as used foam is sucked in through the slit between the plate 55 and the edge of the casing 5. This method, as such, is as previously stated, known per se in other connections and patent protection therefor is not claimed here. During the washing process the admission of washing medium through the pressure channels 13 in the hose can be shut off by pressing in the tongue 49 in the handle 40 whereby the channels 13 are squeezed by the abutment 36 in the same manner as in the position in which the nozzle head is disconnected from the handle. The disconnection is performed by screwing the bayonet socket 51 out of the bayonet fitting 42 whereby the coupling member 20 and the guiding element 30 are turned so that the abutment 36 is kept in the pressed-in position by the inner cylindrical wall 46, thus keeping the pressure channels shut.

The same coupling means can be used for nozzle heads in which only one of the media admitted through the channels 13 is to be used. An example of such a nozzle means is illustrated in FIG. 9 and indicated by the general reference numeral 60. This nozzle head has a screw or bayonet socket 61 of the same type as the socket 51 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. It is connected with the coupling member for the hose in the same manner as described above. The socket 61 proper, which in end view has a form similar to that shown in FIG. 8, has a larger connecting opening 62 and two smaller connecting openings 63 of which one isa blind hole so that the medium admitted through one of the pressure channels 13 of the hose is not used. The socket is made in one piece with a tubular casing 64 on the forward end of which a suction nozzle 65 is mounted which is chamfered on one side and the suction opening 66 of which is surrounded by a cap 67.

The other one of the connecting openings 63, i.e., the one which is not a blind hole, communicates with a chamber 68 with a valve 69 which can be opened from the outside against spring action. The outlet of the valve communicates with a tube 70 connecting the socket 61 with a channel 71 in the suction nozzle 65 and ending in a small spray nozzle 72 on the outside of the suction nozzle 65. The suction nozzle communicates with the inside of the casing 64 by a connection sleeve 73, on the inner end of which is mounted a filter bag 74 by means of a clamping ring 75.

The nozzle head illustrated in FIG. 9 is principally intended for flushing and is used in the following manner. After connecting the hose coupling member in the manner previously indicated by means of the screw or bayonet socket 61 the spray nozzle 72 is pointed at the body surface to be subjected to flushing. The valve 69 is then opened by depressing it with a finger and the washing liquid is spread through the nozzle 72 onto the surface. Immediately thereafter, or simultaneously therewith, the cap 67 is moved over the sprayed surface and the washing liquid together with the loosened dirt is sucked in by the suction nozzle 66. The coarser dirt particles are retained in the filter bag 74 while the used liquid is sucked through the opening 62 into the suction channel 11 and therefrom to the suction means.

The connection of the hose to the source is performed by means of a hose coupling similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and a screw or bayonet socket mounted on the source and of a construction similar to that described above in connection with the nozzle head in which the hose coupling member is screwed in for simultaneous connection of the suction channel I] to the suction device and of the pressure channels 14 to the source of pressure.

What is claimed is:

1. In a washing apparatus for applying a washing me dium to a surface to be washed and for removing the used washing medium and loosened dirt from said surface through a multi-channel hose having connections for coupling the hose at one end to a source of washing medium under pressure and a source of vacuum for evacuating used washing medium,-and at the other end to a nozzle head for spreading the washing medium onto the surface to be washed and for sucking up the used washing medium from the surface; the improvement comprising a hose connecting member mounted on at least said one end of said multi-channel hose and comprising a tubular handle having coupling means at its forward end, and immediately inwardly thereof a coupling member rotatably but axially unmovably mounted within said handle, connection sleeves on said coupling member projecting inwardly into the ends of the different channels of the multi-channel hose and outwardly projecting connection sleeves on said coupling member communicating with said inwardly projecting sleeves, a coupling socket on the nozzle head for connection with said coupling means of the handle, said socket having openings receiving the outwardly projecting connection sleeves, said openings communicating respectively with said pressure and vacuum sources. 7

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a guiding element mounted within the handle at the inside of the coupling member, said guiding element, which encloses the forward end of the multi-channel hose connected to the inwardly projecting connection sleeves of the coupling member, is rotatably guided within the handle and has a retractable abutment and valve member which in an inwardly retracted position squeezes at least one of the channels of the multi-channel hose leading the washing medium to the nozzle head.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the guiding element is rotatably guided within the handle between the coupling member and abutments on the inside of the handle, said guiding element having outwardly directed guide pins engaging holes in the disc of the coupling member.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the retractable abutment on the guiding element is made integrally with the wallof the guiding element andis connected with said wall by a thin web forming both a hinge connection and a spring for resiliently turning the abutment to project outwardly from the guiding element.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the handle thereof has a side opening which is covered by a tongue formed integral integrally at one end with the wall of the handle and forming a finger grip cooperating with the abutment in its position facing said side opening for depressing the abutment into the position for shutting off at least one of the channels of the multi-channel hose.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the coupling member comprises a circular disc from the inner and outer faces of which the connection sleeves project axially inwardly and outwardly, respectively, said disc having a peripheral groove along its edge, which groove cooperates with peripheral projections immediately inside the coupling means in the handle for maintaining the coupling member rotatably but axially unmovably within the handle.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle head comprisesa socket, a spoonshaped casing fixedly connected with said socket, the

inside of said casing communicating freely with the opening of the socket connectible with the suction channel of the multi-channel hose, a plate covering the open side of said spoon-shaped casing with the exception of a narrow slit along the edge of the casing, a longitudinal channel in said plate, a connection passage between said longitudinal channel and the washing medium admitting openings in the socket, and outlet holes for the washing medium connecting said longitudinal channel with the outside of said plate.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle head comprises a tubular casing, one

end of which is integral with a socket and communicates with the opening of the socket connectible with the suction channel of the multi-channel hose, the other end of the casing being covered by a suction nozzle with an inner suction channel connected to a filter bag inside the casing, another opening of the socket being connected through a valve operable from the outside and through a channel extending along the length of the casing with a spray nozzle on the outside of the suction nozzle. 

1. In a washing apparatus for applying a washing medium to a surface to be washed and for removing the used washing medium and loosened dirt from said surface through a multi-channel hose having connections for coupling the hose at one end to a source of washing medium under pressure and a source of vacuum for evacuating used washing medium, and at the other end to a nozzle head for spreading the washing medium onto the surface to be washed and for sucking up the used washing medium from the surface; the improvement comprising a hose connecting member mounted on at least said one end of said multi-channel hose and comprising a tubular handle having coupling means at its forward end, and immediately inwardly thereof a coupling member rotatably but axially unmovably mounted within said handle, connection sleeves on said coupling member projecting inwardly into the ends of the different channels of the multi-channel hose and outwardly projecting connection sleeves on said coupling member communicating with said inwardly projecting sleeves, a coupling socket on the nozzle head for connection with said coupling means of the handle, said socket having openings receiving the outwardly projecting connection sleeves, said openings communicating respectively with said pressure and vacuum sources.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a guiding element mounted within the handle at the inside of the coupling member, said guiding element, which encloses the forward end of the multi-channel hose connected to the inwardly projecting coNnection sleeves of the coupling member, is rotatably guided within the handle and has a retractable abutment and valve member which in an inwardly retracted position squeezes at least one of the channels of the multi-channel hose leading the washing medium to the nozzle head.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the guiding element is rotatably guided within the handle between the coupling member and abutments on the inside of the handle, said guiding element having outwardly directed guide pins engaging holes in the disc of the coupling member.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the retractable abutment on the guiding element is made integrally with the wall of the guiding element and is connected with said wall by a thin web forming both a hinge connection and a spring for resiliently turning the abutment to project outwardly from the guiding element.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the handle thereof has a side opening which is covered by a tongue formed integral integrally at one end with the wall of the handle and forming a finger grip cooperating with the abutment in its position facing said side opening for depressing the abutment into the position for shutting off at least one of the channels of the multi-channel hose.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the coupling member comprises a circular disc from the inner and outer faces of which the connection sleeves project axially inwardly and outwardly, respectively, said disc having a peripheral groove along its edge, which groove cooperates with peripheral projections immediately inside the coupling means in the handle for maintaining the coupling member rotatably but axially unmovably within the handle.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle head comprises a socket, a spoon-shaped casing fixedly connected with said socket, the inside of said casing communicating freely with the opening of the socket connectible with the suction channel of the multi-channel hose, a plate covering the open side of said spoon-shaped casing with the exception of a narrow slit along the edge of the casing, a longitudinal channel in said plate, a connection passage between said longitudinal channel and the washing medium admitting openings in the socket, and outlet holes for the washing medium connecting said longitudinal channel with the outside of said plate.
 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle head comprises a tubular casing, one end of which is integral with a socket and communicates with the opening of the socket connectible with the suction channel of the multi-channel hose, the other end of the casing being covered by a suction nozzle with an inner suction channel connected to a filter bag inside the casing, another opening of the socket being connected through a valve operable from the outside and through a channel extending along the length of the casing with a spray nozzle on the outside of the suction nozzle. 